There was a program in Baltimore to provide computers for home tutoring. The technical support was terrible. Connecting was impossible. In effect money was spent on technology that could not be used. If money was spent by the family, the computer would not have set there useless.

I am always amazed at how many students have $2-300 phones, PS2's, Wii's and ipods, but no computer access (at least in Baltimore City). There has been many times when a student has been assigned to complete a research paper, but sites that they have no computer and can't go to the library because they owe too much money. It makes me wonder about priorities, actually....

Personally, I think that in today's society and job market it is imperative that students have access to computers at home, or at least *somewhere* outside of school in order to prepare for their future. Everyone likes to talk about college readiness, and a huge part of college is being computer literate and using computers outside of the classroom, not only in school.

John-John, long time! Great post. I think this is an incredibly important issue. There's a big split, though, between it being the school system's responsibility, and it being the school system's opportunity. No, I do not believe that schools are responsible for providing home computers. I do, however, think that schools can recognize the need and use it as an opportunity to encourage parent engagement and attention.

I've said on the blog many, many times that I think computer-based learning is the future of public education. I still believe it 100%, in fact, I just left a bar review info session at the law school in which the program is "expanding its offerings" by providing streaming videos of all review classes and interactive testing software. It starts on either side of the margins (computer software for at-risk students to engage them on the one side of the spectrum, and high-level individualized course, like AP & exam prep courses, on the other end). As these sectors become more reliant on computer-based learning, the industry will move itself more mainstream. At least, that's my belief, and not at all original - came from Disrupting Classrooms book.

In any case, I do think school systems should examine ways to push the importance of technology and computer literacy. I definitely do not have any idea how to best accomplish this goal.

Computer knowledge is essential in the workplace of today. Unfortunately, access to computers is still not equal across the board. I would love for all students to have access to computers in the classroom but the support for such endeavors is pathetic at least in BCPSS. Don't really know the answer.

In Baltimore City, I always ask the kids to tell me if they have Internet access outside school before I give a technology dependent asignment. About 2/3's say they do. In a school where families are routinely"set out", have power turned off, have dissconnected phones, and have 75-85% free and reduced lunch, I can assure you that many do not have the same technolgy advantages as their suburban counterparts.Further, all can not or do not use the public library.The public library near my school has been closed for renovations for a couple years.This is just another in a long list of inequalities.And if it doesn't matter, maybe some of the suburban schools would be glad to give up a few advantages.I teach in the City Schools but my children attend county schools and I am painfully aware of the differences!

I often find that students have a computer at home, but frequently lack an active internet connection.

The more that the city government moves toward universal broadband wireless access, the better for everyone in our community.

ArtTeacherLady,

I too am amazed at the gadgetry of our students, but I think it's wrong to place our own values on our kids. Because that's just it, they aren't "our" kids. I hear many people making this argument, but part of understanding our students is understanding their economic values not imposing our own onto them. It's not our place, and is, frankly, ethnocentric.

"And is it necessary for students to have computers at home in order to be successful in the classroom?"

It shouldn't be... and it is a failure of the system if it is. A pencil, pen and paper should be the only home supplied tools that are required for success. Computers are just substitutes for these basic items.

John-John post,
I think this is an incredibly important issue too.
In school year (SY) 2008-2009 Talbot County Council adopted a budget for personal laptop computers for public school students. Under-the 1-to1 laptop initiative. In coming 9th graders are supplied with laptops. A combination of private funding donations/lease agreements.

In my public school district Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) the city council education committee chaired by Mary Pat Clarke was missing-in-action (MIA) in not supporting of State legislation HB540 Laptop Computer Distribution Program.

The BCPSS executive officials with support from Alonso testified the increased cost of funding was the reason for them not supporting the HB540 for city school system students??

Instead opting for a 7th grader school on-site computer lab "Extenda Program" at a lower cost without having to show cause for having to apply or seek private funding donations, private grants, lease agreements to supplement laptops program funding to offset alleged cost concerns.

Consider further investigative reporting by applying a shoeleather style investigation to explore lifting up so many other ways to add depth to this matter on behalf of all 14 state district public school system parents. "DIG DEEEPER"

Great post.

The thought of a school system providing each student with a computer is a financial nightmare. You can't just give kids computers and that's the end of it. The school system will then have to provide internet access, software (mainly an office suite), antivirus and spyware software, technical support, upgrades, additional hardware, etc. I won't even go into the inevitable misuse of those computers.

What makes the most sense is for schools to provide computer labs that are open in the afternoon and evening. I'm sure a few staff members at each school wouldn't mind a few extra dollars to supervise a computer lab. All kids would have to do is leave their school ID with the supervisor while they're using a computer.

Great post. This would be a great thing for The Open Society or the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fund an research. In the past, in Title One schools in Baltimore City there were computer based educational programs students could have with the computer and internet services in their home. At the end of the school year, if they had done the program, they were allowed to keep the computer. Were these programs researched at all? Did they make a difference? My experience with students is that they really enjoy the computer. Internet access often engages students who are often not engaged educationally. They could be a great resource.

Thanks for all the comments everyone. It is an important, complicated issue. Other than living in a perrfect world where money is not an issue, I'm not sure there is an ideal solution....

Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I'd like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.